Watervliet Man Indicted on False Claim and Identity Theft Charges

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Bryant C. Hardnett, age 44, of Watervliet, New York, was arraigned yesterday on false claim and aggravated identity theft charges relating to his filing of fraudulent individual income tax returns.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James D. Robnett, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of IRS-Criminal Investigation.

According to the indictment, from 2013 to 2016, Hardnett filed tax returns that falsely claimed dependents and self-employment income, causing the Treasury Department to issue tax refunds to which the taxpayers were not entitled. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Hardnett was arraigned yesterday before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart, who set conditions for Hardnett’s release pending a trial before Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn.

On each false claims charge, Hardnett faces up to 5 years in prison, up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release, and a maximum $250,000 fine. On each aggravated identity theft charge, Hardnett faces a mandatory 2-year term of imprisonment. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case is being investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.